Dynamics of Rigid Bodies: The Concept of Law of Gravitation

  • #1
Nova_Chr0n0
16
3
Homework Statement
Find the mass of an object (in kg) that weighs 2 kN at a height of 1800 km above the earth’s surface.
Relevant Equations
Mass of earth - 5.9742 x 10^24 kg
Radius of earth = 6378 km
F=G[(m_a*m_b)/R^2]
The questions and relevant formulas/information are attached below:

1701242900601.png

1701242922499.png

1701243032043.png


I started by writing the needed values:

2 kN = 2,000 N
6378 km =6378(1000) m
1800 km = 1800(1000)m

1701244278069.png


After converting, I tried solving for the mass using the law of gravitation formula:

1701244303798.png


I decided to replace N as (kgm)/s^2:

1701244326240.png

Solving for the mass:

1701244347866.png


I wanted to verify my final answer by trying to find it in the internet. I only saw 1 solution and we got the same values up until mass B. For his mass B, he got 335.4695 N but I got 335.721 kg. The other solution will be shown below:

1701244878834.png
1701244891704.png


Am I suppose to get mass B here with N as its unit? If so, on what part did I do the algebra wrong?
 
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  • #2
Mass is measured in kg. Your numerical answer looks correct, although you may think about learning some algebra!
 
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